Eaves ER, Doerry E, Lanzetta SA, et al. Applying User-Centered Design in the Development of a Supportive mHealth App for Women in Substance Use Recovery. Am J Health Promot. 2023;37(1):56-64. doi:10.1177/08901171221113834
This article outlined the user-centered design used in developing iMatter, a supportive mHealth app for women in substance use recovery. The iMatter app design was developed based on the consolidated framework for implementation research and the technology acceptance model. The app provides aid for women transitioning out of comprehensive opioid, alcohol, and polysubstance use disorder programs. Five focus groups (n=27 total, urban Arizona) were conducted to determine the features that would be most useful. The features replicate key supportive features in intensive housing and treatment programs in a virtual format. The first function developed based on target population feedback was an interactive map of local resources. This feature provides list and map views of local resources across housing, parenting, and other peer-added topics. Users can review each resource, providing insight and additional knowledge of specific services. The app also includes daily mood reporting and inspiration. On the login screen, users must select their current mood and view a daily inspirational quote. Notifications about a change in a user’s reported mood can be viewed by peers and service providers to offer relevant support. Peer support was rated as the most important element for recovery and transition in the focus groups, leading to the development of a social network function. Instead of more traditional learning modules, users suggested developing non-scored challenges that provided the same information and goals as the modules but in a less formal presentation. The app features challenges for nutrition, parenting, sleep, relationships, and other elements. Challenges can be completed at users’ preferred pace. The final user-influenced element was a daily reminder of the total days in recovery. The iMatter app has not yet been tested or evaluated in a larger population. Future research will test the elements incorporated based on the user-centered, responsive process of iterative app development described in this article.